The Legend Series

January 8, 2013
by
1 min read

by ERIN THURSBY
Despite not knowing what’s going to happen with the evening, the names involved are enough to give the Legend Series a certain cachet: Cari Sanchez-Potter, co-founder & producer (general manager of Intuition Ale works), Chef Scott Schwartz, co-founder and chef (29 South Restaurant, Chef Sam Efron (Taverna), Chef Guy Ferri (Black Sheep), Chef Tom Gray (Bistro Aix), Brian Siebenschuh (Orsay), Chef Mike Ramsey (Jacksonville Golf & country Club) and Chef Caitlin Schneder-Franz (Jacksonville Golf & Country Club).
Past dinners at the Legend Series have included Opera at the Florida Theater with the diners seated onstage, in the showroom of the Brumos Collection with the Florida Ballet, and at the Old Ford Assembly Plant with entertainment from The Mast. Menu themes for each of these were tied in with the location. For example, the ballet performance at the Brumos Collection provided a feminine counterpoint to the testosterone-laden backdrop of fast, expensive cars. The chefs played with this contrast, designing their menu around the theme of masculine and feminine.
The diners at the first Legend dinner came from a core community of about 30 foodies, who were willing to explore even the most exotic foods without knowing the menu ahead of time. As their audience has expanded, they’ve had to feature more selections that will appeal to everyone, though the menu still remains a secret until it’s revealed at the event itself.
Choosing a venue is the starting point. According to Cari Sanchez-Potter, producer of the series, they have two requirements: it should be “a place where you would never have a fancy sit-down dinner and where you would never have a wedding reception.” While these requirements mean that diners will experience a high-quality meal in an unusual setting, it means lots of planning for the team. With some venues (such as the Old Ford Assembly Plant), that even means bringing their own generator.
With tickets at just over $180, most people think the series is quite profitable, but they’ve been figuring out how to break even. So far, says Sanchez-Potter, “it’s been a labor of love.” To create a kitchen where none exists and set up dining for a hundred guests is expensive, and there are often hidden costs in rentals. Because of the popularity of the dinners, they’re working on a business model that will help them turn a profit.
The next Legend dinner is in April. They’ll be partnering with One Spark, so while the locale is still a secret, it’s a good bet that it will be Downtown. (Check out Jacksonville’s One Spark Project at www.beonespark.com).

Folio is your guide to entertainment and culture around and near Jacksonville, Florida. We cover events, concerts, restaurants, theatre, sports, art, happenings, and all things about living and visiting Jax. Folio serves more than two million readers across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, including St. Augustine, The Beaches, and Fernandina.

Current Issue

Recent Posts

SUBMIT EVENTS

Submit Events

Advertisements

Sing Out Loud Festival

Date

Title

Current Month

Follow FOLIO!

Previous Story

A New Age, A New Year -welcoming 2013

Next Story

PICTURE THIS

Latest from Food + Drink

Bite by Bite

Arlington  Cajun Crab Juice Seafood & Bar Jax cajuncrabjax.com Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com El Fogón de Munchies facebook.com/elfogonmunchiesboricuas Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant fancysushiandgrill.com Fuji Sushi fujisushi-fl.com The Good Place Nutrition facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition Grinders American Diner grindersamdiner.com  La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com Lauren’s

The Hunt: Finding the best loaded tots in Jacksonville

Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri You know them, and you love them. We’ve said it once, and we will say it again: The potato is the most versatile food. It could be a group of its own on the food pyramid. You have mashed potatoes, baked potatoes,

Ink & Barley 

Where tattoos and brews flow  Words and Photos by Carmen Macri & Evergold Photography As you stroll through the bustling streets of Downtown St. Augustine, it’s easy for certain spots to fade into the background, overshadowed by the grandeur of old Spanish architecture and the looming fort. But for

Bite by Bite

Arlington  Cajun Crab Juice Seafood & Bar Jax cajuncrabjax.com Cliff’s Bar & Grill cliffsbarandgrill.com El Fogón de Munchies facebook.com/elfogonMunchiesBoricuas Fancy Sushi & Grill Japanese Restaurant fancysushiandgrill.com Fuji Sushi fujisushi-fl.com The Good Place Nutrition facebook.com/thegoodplacenutrition Grinders American Diner grindersamdiner.com  La Palmerita orderlapalmerita.com Lauren’s

EASTCOAST OYSTERS BRINGS THE OYSTERS TO THE PEOPLE

Mobile raw bar becomes a reality Words by Emily Cheyne & photos provided by Kevonne Phillips In 2014 Kevonne Phillips was in line at a gas station when he noticed the man in front of him wearing a shirt from BoatHouse Oyster Bar in Destin, Florida. Phillips asked the man
July 5th Cleanup
GoUp

Don't Miss

The Avett Brothers

November 15 The Avett Brothers St. Augustine Amphitheatre (904) 471-1965

Paula Poundstone

Paula Poundstone “Twitter is the postcards in my head.” It’s